There’s something about lake water — it’s
soothing and relaxing, yet alternately fun and exciting. The
Lake Country in Waukesha County boasts more than 20 lakes,
creating an intricate web of water throughout the area.

Each lake has historical significance, from
gangster Al Capone’s hideout to the birth of the outboard motor.
Many United States presidents vacationed on its shores and
Olympic sailors have trained on these waters.

Lake Country is a special place; those who live
here will fiercely defend how great their own lake is, but in
reality each one has its own qualities that make these waters so
unique.

Fortunately, you don’t have to live on one of
these lakes to enjoy them. From boating, fishing and sunning at
a beach, to enjoying fireworks, waterski shows and boat parades,
everyone can experience the natural phenomenon of our area
lakes.

On a cloudy day, Beaver Lake appears like any
other lake in the area, but when the sun peeks out, the water
transforms into a beautiful teal color that takes your breath
away. “Contrary to popular belief, we do not add food coloring
to Beaver Lake,” jokes Cathy Liebert, a lifelong Beaver Lake
resident, “although the teal blue color is mystical.”

The clear blue water is due in part to the sand and limestone
bottom, unique in Lake Country. “It’s cleaner and better
swimming,” Liebert says. About 150 homes dot the shoreline,
which features two bays and Chenequa Country Club on its western
shore. “It’s like being at Disneyland if you live on the lake
and belong to the country club,” Liebert says. “We take our
pontoon boat to go golfing or play tennis.”

The Beaver Lake Yacht Club organizes year-round
family friendly activities, from its sailing school to a
moonlight sail and Venetian parade. A highlight of the summer is
Taco Night on the Lake, where boaters pull up to a floating
Mexican cantina for a bite to eat.

More than 100 years ago, the shores of Oconomowoc
Lake were a veritable playground for the rich.

“Oconomowoc was known as the ‘Newport of the West’ at the turn
of the century,” says village of Oconomowoc Police Chief Don
Wiemer. Wiemer, police chief for the past 27 years, lived in the
famed Valentine Estate for 10 years prior to moving to the city
of Oconomowoc. More than 20 Midwest millionaires erected
mansions along the shores, such as Phillip Danforth Armour of
Armour Meats, who built the Valentine Estate, and Frederick
Pabst of Pabst Brewing Co., who built a country estate called
Woodbine (now Pabst Farms).

Other lavish estates were built by Albert
Earling, president of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Co.;
Capt. Thomas Parker, founder of the Chicago Trade Board; and
Levi Merrick, a tobacco merchant from Chicago. The railroad
line at one time dropped vacationers in Oconomowoc, some of
whom stayed at either the Spring Bank or Gifford hotels,
elegant recreation retreats on the shores of the lake.
Today, Oconomowoc Lake is a quiet place lined with stately
homes.

“It’s been a slow progress from the grandiose old estates to
the residential properties,” says Wiemer, who notes many of
the estates have been subdivided into residential
properties. Although the majority of the shoreline is
privately owned, the Oconomowoc Lake Club, which opened in
1890, still plays an active role on the lake. Besides its
impressive history, the lake is known for its good fishing,
Wiemer notes.

During the mid-19th and early 20th centuries, six
United States presidents vacationed in Oconomowoc, prompting
Lake Road to be nicknamed Avenue of the Presidents. Dignitaries
stayed at the grand Draper Hall Hotel, which fell on hard times
during the Great Depression and was eventually razed in the
1960s.

For longtime Lac La Belle residents Kent and Heidi Johnson, the
connection of the lake to the downtown is its biggest asset,
making the lake waters accessible to everyone. “It’s more of a
public lake as far as accessibility and views,” says Kent
Johnson. An isthmus between Lac La Belle and Fowler Lake
contains a dam, road and sidewalk through a residential area,
providing a beautiful walking and running route with a loop
around Fowler Lake.

During the summer, concerts are held every
Wednesday at the band shell on the lake. The Light Up the
Lake Boat Parade, fireworks and more top off Oconomowoc
Festival Week in August.

Okauchee Lake might have a reputation as a party
lake, but Hans Weissgerber Jr., owner of the Golden Mast
restaurant, says the lake’s culture is ever-changing.

“It has a fun character about it,” he acknowledges. “We have a
lot of younger people who have been successful in life and are
now buying and building on Okauchee Lake.” His wife, Marijo
Weissgerber, agrees: “I think it’s the most interesting lake of
all the lakes in the area,” she says. “It’s very diverse — in a
good way.”

Okauchee Lake has a number of bays, creating
nearly 30 miles of shoreline dotted with nearly 1,000 homes.
“Each bay has a different style to it,” Hans Weissgerber
says. The Weissgerber family has been on Okauchee since
1962, when Hans Sr. first owned a picnic resort and bar that
evolved into the Golden Mast. When the Weissgerbers arrived,
there were 32 bars and restaurants on the lake; now there
are eight. “The famous tie-up” is still a regular Sunday
afternoon occurrence during the summer, when up to 100 boats
gather near “party island.”

But the Fourth of July is the pinnacle of the summer. “A lot
of people say that the Okauchee fireworks have the most
spectacular and beautiful setting for fireworks that they
have ever seen,” Weissgerber notes.

At
nearly five miles long and one mile wide, Pewaukee Lake is
the largest among area lakes. It’s known for its sailing
regattas, public beachfront and myriad activities.

Lake resident Kara Kaiser has lived on the lake since she
was 12 and comes from a family of sailors. “We have a really
robust competitive sailing program on the lake,” she says.
“A lot of lakes have competitive sailing but we offer a lot
of options,” for novice to advanced sailors.

Various activities draw people to the lake from around metro
Milwaukee, such as an annual triathlon, weekly waterski show
and live music on Wednesday nights during the summer.

“I think what Pewaukee brings is a real community feel,”
Kaiser says. “Pewaukee does a nice job of utilizing the
lakefront for both an active lifestyle and for families.
There’s kind of something for everyone,” she says.

Special thanks to Cathy &
Jim Liebert, Kim Kastenholz, Marijo Weissgerber, Cheri Cope and Trish
Washburn for their assistance with this article.